Queens Construction Accident Demonstrates NY’s Safety Shortcomings

Daniel A Kalish - A recent tragedy in Queens is one of the latest construction accidents in the tri-state area to highlight the dangers of construction work and hints at possible shortcomings in New York’s construction safety regulations.

A 26-year-old Queens resident and construction worker was crushed under the weight of an 18-foot high cinder block wall and its scaffolding the morning of January 10, 2011. The man was working under the scaffolding when the wall fell; his brother and two other workers were on top of the wall at the time and were able to ride the momentum of the wall down to safety, suffering injuries but surviving the collapse.

The construction project was intended to be a five-story building, the first floor having space for commercial use and the top four floors space for residents. The contractor, H. Rock Corporation, has worked on the project since being granted a permit in 2009. The corporation has received six violations at the site since it began construction, mainly for basic safety violations such as failing to post proper signage and keep machinery out of the sidewalk.

The City of New York is currently investigating the site of the accident, and has issued a stop-work order until the investigations are complete.

In the event of a workplace accident, it is important for employees to understand what they are entitled to after such an incident. The State of New York requires virtually all employers, including construction contractors, to provide workers’ compensation benefits in the event of a workplace accident that keeps the employee out of work for a period of time.

In some situations, employees who have been injured at the workplace can also file a personal injury claim to gain income in addition to any benefits that are received through workers’ compensation. To learn more about what avenues to recovery you may have, contact a New York personal injury attorney to confidentially discuss your accident.

Buttafuoco & Associates
Personal Injury Lawyers
Voted BEST LAW FIRM five years in a row!
www.1800NowHurt.com

Do you like to "Tell-A-Friend"? If so, this message is for you.

Many of us ask friends or family members for recommendations for anything from plumbers to Thai food to mechanics.  Almost without fail they are happy and eager to offer a referral.  Everyone likes to talk about "their guy" who does the best work in town.  They love to "tell-a-friend".  We do too...do you?

If so, you are part of the network of referrals that small businesses in this country run on.  Referrals are the rare win-win-win (triple win) situation!  If your friend is looking for an electrician and you refer the company that did a good job replacing your breaker box last year, everyone wins!  Your friend gets an electrician they can trust (because you, their friend, recommended him).  The electrician gets a new customer.  You get to help your friend - and everyone likes helping their friends.

The next time a friend or family member is in need of a personal injury attorney, we hope you will consider telling them about our firm. Buttafuoco & Associates was voted BEST LAWYER five years in a row by LI Press and awarded the prestigious "Super Lawyers" designation, only given to the top 5% of lawyers in the country.  We consistently bring home big rewards for our clients.  We also do our best to bring home big reward to our community, with scholarship programs, disaster aid and other charitable gifts.

If you feel that we did a good job for you and you appreciate that we are a law firm that helps injured victims rebuild their lives, then the next time someone asks if you know a good attorney we hope you'll tell-a-friend about us.

50,000 Views and counting - The Personal Injury Law Blog

 

Today we reached a proud milestone.  50,000 views of our Blog!

We've come a long way since our injury law blog launch on Friday, October 20th 2006 (read 1st blog post here).   We recklessly jumped out of the starting gate armed with the good intentions of educating the everyday person on all things injury law as a means of helping them rebuild their lives or avoid a serious injury.  Sure, we were told there was something called "SEO" involved.  But we really didn't know what that was at the time.  We are an authority on personal injury and medical malpractice law and we were simply posting articles we thought were important on an irregular basis. 

In 2011, we were introduced to the prospect of formulating an intentional content strategy (thanks to digital marketing guru Rob Taormina).  This transformed our blog.  Here's a crazy stat:  85% of our total historical traffic came after this change.  MIND BLOWN!

Eight years later our mission remains the same.  Educating you, the reader, as a means of helping injured victims rebuild their lives and/or families avoid serious injuries.   Whether it be local news, recent children's toy recalls, medical statistics or a simple milestone celebratory blog......THANKS FOR READING.  We appreciate you.

$9 Billion a year in knee replacements

Knee replacement surgeries have more than double the last two decades in the US as older Americans strive to become more active.  This has led to a startling spike in repairs to previously implanted artificial knee joints (revision)....an increase of over 106%. 

There has been over 318,563 patients who have had revision surgery since 1991.

Several prominent knee surgeons at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons presented data suggesting that the rate of failure for certain Zimmer NexGen replacement knee systems is “unacceptably high,” with many knee replacement patients experiencing loosening with the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex Porous Femoral implant and requiring revision surgery within a few years.

This Zimmer NexGen knee has a “high-flex” porous femoral component that attaches to the bottom of the thighbone instead of using cement to keep the knee replacements in place. As a result of what some are considering a defective and unreasonably dangerous design, patients could have been exposed to an unnecessary risk of problems with Zimmer NexGen replacement knees.

The Zimmer NexGen knee lawyers at Buttafuoco & Associates are investigating potential product liability lawsuits for individuals who have experienced problems with this replacement knee product.  For more information call 1-800-669-4878.

Why should I hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Many people choose to settle minor (no injuries) car incidents claims with their insurance company, but it is a wise idea to hire a lawyer if involved in a major accident such as a fatality or even death. Accident lawyers can help you figure what options are best for your particular case when it comes to settlements.

• Car accident lawyers are able to evaluate car accidents from a legal point-of-view, which means they can help the victims that were involved receive the compensation that they are legally entitled to. Without the help of a car accident lawyer, you could end up paying out thousands of dollars for a claim that you could should receive money for.
• There are several things that you should look for before hiring a car accident lawyer such as years of experience, professionalism, reputation and legal fees. Most of this information can be researched on websites such as Martindale.com or Lawyer.com. Also remember that legitimate attorneys are registered with the American Bar Association.
• Hiring a car accident lawyer decreases your workload since they are the ones capable of negotiating with all parties involved in the accident, including the auto insurance company. The lawyers also deal with important documents like police reports, medical bills and other statements that are needed for the case or settlement.
• There are many insurance companies that try to intimidate or take advantage of the victims that have been involved in a car accident, but a skilled lawyer is able to present the evidence and facts needed to prevent any false claims. It is also the lawyer’s duty to protect the client’s rights.

George Washington Bridge fatal car accident snarls morning commute

A 32-year-old Manhattan woman was killed in a single-car wreck Tuesday morning after she lost control of her minivan on the George Washington Bridge, authorities said.

Patricia Salcedo's Toyota van flipped several times and landed on its roof on the New York side of the bridge's upper level about 4 a.m., authorities said.

She was pronounced dead on the scene. There were no other injuries reported, a Port Authority spokesman said.

The crash prompted the temporary shutdown of the upper level's outbound lanes, causing a nightmarish early morning commute for motorists heading to New Jersey.

The lanes were reopened about 7:30 a.m., authorities said.

Buttafuoco & Associates

Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice Attorneys

Voted BEST LAW FIRM five years in a row!

www.1800NowHurt.com

Study Finds Criminal Pasts of Nursing Home Workers

More than 90 percent of nursing homes employ one or more people who have been convicted of at least one crime, federal investigators said Wednesday in a new report. In addition, they said, 5 percent of all nursing home employees have at least one criminal conviction.

The report was issued by Daniel R. Levinson, inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services, who obtained the names of more than 35,000 nursing home employees and then checked with theFederal Bureau of Investigation to see if they had criminal records.

“Our analysis of F.B.I. criminal history records revealed that 92 percent of nursing facilities employed at least one individual with at least one criminal conviction,” Mr. Levinson said. “Nearly half of nursing facilities employed five or more individuals with at least one conviction. For example, a nursing facility with a total of 164 employees had 34 employees with at least one conviction each.”

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Buttafuoco & Associates

Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice Attorneys

Voted BEST LAW FIRM five years in a row!

www.1800NowHurt.com

Disney Princess Plastic Trikes Recalled by Kiddieland Due to Laceration Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Disney Princess Plastic Racing Trikes

Units: About 9,000 in the U.S. and 700 in Canada

Manufacturer: Kiddieland Toys Limited, of Scituate, Mass.

Hazard: The plastic castle display and the princess figures protruding from the top of the handle bar pose a laceration hazard if a child falls on it.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and Kiddieland have received three reports of children suffering facial lacerations.

Description: This recall involves the Disney Princess Plastic Racing Trikes. The trikes are pink and fuchsia with a purple seat and wheels. On top of the handlebar, there is a rotating castle display surrounded by three princess figures. "Disney Princess" is printed on the label in front of the trike just below the handlebar.

Sold at: Target, JCPenney, Meijer and H.E.B. stores nationwide and on the Web at www.target.com from January 2009 through April 2011 for about $50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the trikes away from children and contact Kiddieland for a free replacement handlebar with an enclosed rotating display.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kiddieland at (800) 430-5307 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.kiddieland.com.hk

Buttafuoco & Associates
Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Voted BEST LAW FIRM five years in a row!
www.1800NowHurt.com

FDA Investigates DePuy Hip Replacement Devices

The DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System was recalled in August, 2010

The recall came after data from a study indicated that the five year failure rate of this product is approximately 13%, or 1 in 8 patients. Even if the defective device is replaced, it can leave behind dangerous, possibly deadly fragments that may not be discovered for years. DePuy identified reasons for the failure of the hip replacement system as component loosening, component malalignment, infection, fracture of the bone, dislocation, metal sensitivity and pain. Additional complications from the hip replacement system may include increased metal ion levels in the blood, bone staining, necrosis, swelling, nerve damage, tissue damage and/or muscle damage.

When you do have surgery, and have your hip implant replaced, insist that they preserve your hip implant and GIVE it to you.

Tell your surgeon NOT To send it back to the manufacturer. This hip implant can be crucial evidence in a potential compensation lawsuit and could make the difference between you getting fair compensation and getting nothing.

If you or a loved one have suffered losses in this case contact the experienced Attorneys at Buttafuoco & Associates who can evaluate your DePuy Hip Replacement claim for free and help determine your next best course of action.